What else should I know before buying my first laser cutter?

Hey everyone, total beginner here looking to buy my first laser. I’ll probably be doing more cutting than engraving, but I’d still like something that can handle both, so right now I’m trying to decide whether a diode or CO₂ laser makes more sense for me. I’ve watched a ton of YouTube videos and read through way too many Reddit threads, and the more I look into it, the more I realize there’s a lot more to consider than just brand, wattage, and price.

Here’s what I’ve gathered so far:

1. The advertised work area doesn’t necessarily tell you how much space the machine will actually take up. I’d also need to leave room for loading and positioning materials, moving around the machine, and any accessories that are part of the setup.

2. Software and workflow probably matter more than they seem at first. If I end up using the machine regularly, the learning curve and how smooth the day-to-day workflow is could make quite a big difference over time.

3. Accessories like air assist, a rotary attachment, a honeycomb bed, a riser base, and exhaust equipment can add quite a bit to the overall cost of the setup.

4. Ventilation could also be more complicated and expensive than I initially expected. Cutting and engraving can create noticeable smells, which wouldn’t be ideal in a studio and could be difficult to get rid of. I’d probably need an air purifier or filtration system, and ideally a space with decent ventilation as well. Even with an enclosed machine, the fumes still need to be properly exhausted or filtered — the enclosure doesn’t make them disappear.

5. Just because a material can technically be cut doesn’t necessarily mean it’s safe or practical to put in a laser. Unknown plastics, especially anything containing PVC or vinyl, are probably best avoided unless I know exactly what they’re made of.

6. Customer support and the availability of replacement parts also seem worth considering. If something goes wrong, responsive official support and an active user community would make troubleshooting a lot less frustrating and give me somewhere to turn for help.

That’s where I’m at so far, but I haven’t actually used a laser yet, so I’d really appreciate a reality check. Am I misunderstanding anything or oversimplifying some of this? I’m still narrowing down what I actually need too, like the materials and thicknesses I’ll use most, how much cutting vs. engraving I’ll be doing, how much space I have, ventilation, and my total budget once accessories are included. Is there anything else I should figure out before buying, and are there any specific machines you think are worth looking at?

Any advice appreciated!